Making an impact through science and discovery

Who: Kim L. Cavendish of Boca Raton. The president and chief executive officer of the Museum of Discovery and Science and the AutoNationIMAX 3D Theater in Fort Lauderdale received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Florida Association of Museums' Service Awards luncheon Sept.11. The honor is presented to individuals who have worked in the museum field for over 30 years and who have had a profound impact on the museum industry, on individual museums, and on the lives of Florida citizens.

What the recognition means to me: It is truly gratifying to know that my efforts have made a positive impact on a local and statewide level in sharpening the focus on science literacy through the activities of the museums I have led.

Resume

Experience: Has led museums since 1981 and has served as chief executive officer at two Florida museums: the Orlando Science Center and the Museum of Discovery and Science. She also served for five years as CEO of the Virginia Air and Space Center.

Education: Bachelor of Arts, University of Florida; attended Duke University and George Washington University.

Awards/recognitions: 1990 Woman of the Year from Women in Communication; 1993 Woman of Distinction from South Florida Magazine; 1994 Fundraising Award from the Florida Association of Non-Profit Organizations; and 2008 Distinguished Alumna from Holton Arms School.

On the job

Top goal this year: Fundraising and planning for the conversion of the IMAX Theater to a laser based digital system and the development of an outdoor Science Park behind the museum.

Professional satisfaction: We expanded the museum in 2011 with a new wing that focuses a lot of attention to the Florida environment. That was the gratifying culmination of many years of work. It is a privilege to lead this dedicated team of employees and to work with a dynamic board, and to do this in an industry with terrific colleagues all over the world. Knowing that the museum can change lives for the better through science education and through providing "quality time" experiences for families learning and having fun together gives me joy every day.

Role model: My late father, Rear Adm. J. Wilson Leverton, was a true war hero in World War II. He was at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked and took his ship out under fire. Later in the war that same ship was broken in half in a great storm in the freezing Aleutian Islands and he managed a rescue of the entire crew — getting them all into one half of the ship — while the other half sank. He was the last one off the ship before the rest of it sank. For that, he earned a Silver Star Medal, the third-highest military decoration for valor.